Method and apparatus for a carriage latch and power cord lock-out system for an optical scanner

Abstract

An improved carriage locking system that prevents the power cord of an optical scanner from being plugged into the scanner when the optical carriage assembly of the scanner is in the locked position. The locking system may include a locking member that the user unlocks to access the power cord receptacle upon initial setup of the scanner. The locking system may also include a spring loaded locking member that latches the optical carriage assembly against movement whenever the power cord is removed from the power cord receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical carriage locking system for a scanner that prevents power to the scanner from being turned on when the scanner's optical carriage assembly is in the locked position, said optical carriage locking system comprising: a power cord lock-out member for preventing a power cord receptacle of said scanner from receiving a power cord when said power cord lock-out member is in a locked position, said power cord lock-out member permitting said power cord receptacle of said scanner to receive a power cord when said power cord lock-out member is in an unlocked position; and   a carriage latch for preventing said optical carriage assembly of said scanner from moving within said scanner when said carriage latch is in a latched position, said carriage latch permitting said optical carriage assembly of said scanner to move within said scanner as intended during scanner operations when said carriage latch is in an unlatched position, said power cord lock-out member and said carriage latch being attached in such a manner that when said carriage latch is in the latched position, said power cord lock-out member is in the locked position and when said carriage latch is in the unlatched position, said power cord lock-out member is in the unlocked position.   
     
     
       2. The optical carriage locking system according to claim 1 further comprising a locking member for maintaining said power cord lock-out member in a locked position and said carriage latch in a latched position until said locking member is unlocked. 
     
     
       3. The optical carriage locking system according to claim 1 further comprising a locking member that is spring-loaded in such a manner that whenever a power cord is not inserted in said power cord receptacle, said carriage latch is in the latched position and said optical carriage assembly is prevented from moving within said scanner.